APPLIANCE COMPARISON · OCT–DEC 2026

Electric fan heater vs convector heater: which costs less to run?

At 26.32p per kWh, an electric fan heater and a convector heater cost the same at full power: about 53p per hour.

Last updated 11 October 2026GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT

ELECTRIC FAN HEATER

53pper hour at 2,000 W

CONVECTOR HEATER

53pper hour at 2,000 W

DIFFERENCE

Noneat the same power setting

Side by side

**Electric fan heater and convector heater running costs**Typical figures at 26.32p per kWh (GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT). Running costs exclude the standing charge.
Measure	Electric fan heater	Convector heater
Rated power	2,000 W	2,000 W
Cost per hour at full power	53p	53p
One typical use	1 evening, 2 hours	1 evening, 2 hours
Cost per use	£1.05 (4.00 kWh)	£1.05 (4.00 kWh)
Assumed use a week	7 evenings	7 evenings
Cost a year at that use	£384	£384

Usage assumptions: Electric fan heater: Two hours a day on the 2 kW setting.Convector heater: Two hours a day on the 2 kW setting.These are illustrations, not measured averages.

What the difference means for heating a room

A 2 kW fan heater and a 2 kW convector use the same electricity per hour at full power. A fan spreads the heat faster; a convector warms the air that rises past its element. Both have lower settings that cost less per hour.

The yearly figures above use different hours for each appliance, so compare the hourly cost for the same length of use.

Work out your own costs

Each appliance page has a calculator: enter your own wattage or energy label figure, how long you use it, and your region or unit rate.

Electric fan heater calculator Convector heater calculator

Unit rates vary by region: this period they run from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Electricity prices per kWh →

Questions

Is an electric fan heater cheaper to run than a convector heater?

Neither: at the same power setting they cost the same per hour. At 26.32p per kWh, an electric fan heater and a convector heater cost the same at full power: about 53p per hour. A 2 kW fan heater and a 2 kW convector use the same electricity per hour at full power. A fan spreads the heat faster; a convector warms the air that rises past its element. Both have lower settings that cost less per hour.

How much do they cost a year?

At the usage each page assumes, about £384 a year for an electric fan heater and £384 for a convector heater (October–December 2026 GB average rate). For an electric fan heater: two hours a day on the 2 kW setting. For a convector heater: two hours a day on the 2 kW setting.

Does where I live change which is cheaper?

No. Both run on electricity, so a higher or lower unit rate changes both costs in the same proportion. The cheaper appliance stays cheaper; only the pence change. Your region, tariff and how long you run each appliance change the actual amounts.

About these figures

Running cost is energy used × unit rate. Costs at full power assume the appliance draws its full rating the whole time; thermostats and programmes often switch elements on and off, so real use can be lower. Power ratings and energy label figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.

More comparisons

Sources

Dimplex flat fan heater 2kW ↗2,000 W with two heat settings.
Igenix IG9022 2kW fan heater user manual (PDF) ↗Low 1,200 W, high 2,000 W.
Energy Saving Trust: electric heating ↗Running costs of portable electric heaters compared with main heating.
Dimplex HeatLite convector heater 2kW ↗2,000 W, three heat settings.
Igenix IG5200 convector heater user manual (PDF) ↗Heat settings 750 W, 1,250 W and 2,000 W.
Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB average electricity unit rate and VAT basis, October–December 2026.

Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →